Donatella Francesca Versace is an Italian fashion designer and businesswoman. She is the current Creative Director of Versace, a division of Capri Holdings. Versace was founded by her brother, Gianni Versace, and after his death in 1997, Donatella inherited 20% of the company and became its Chief Executive Officer. Versace was sold to Capri Holdings in 2018, although Donatella remains actively involved.
In the mid-1970s, Donatella followed her older brother Gianni Versace into the world of knitwear design in Florence, Italy. She originally planned to work in public relations for the brand, but as she later claimed, she proved more valuable to her brother as a muse and critic. Through her close connection to Gianni’s ventures, she entered the fashion world. In the 1980s, Gianni launched a perfume named Blonde in her honor and gave her her own fashion label, Versus, which she managed until his death.
On July 18, 1998, one year and three days after Gianni’s death, Donatella staged her first haute couture show for the Versace Atelier at the Hôtel Ritz Paris. She constructed the runway over the hotel’s swimming pool, just as her brother had done every season — but this time using transparent glass. She now oversees the production of around a dozen collections every year.
Donatella has designed advertising campaigns for Versace featuring stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Courtney Love, Christina Aguilera, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Demi Moore, Nicki Minaj, and Lady Gaga. She also made Beyoncé and January Jones into prominent Versace ambassadors.
Her popularity soared when she designed Jennifer Lopez’s Green Versace dress, also known as the “Jungle Dress”, worn at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000.
Donatella was also the designer behind the Palazzo Versace Australia resort, located in Gold Coast, Queensland, which opened in September 2000.
The Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, features Versace-designed furnishings and bed linens.
She played a major role in designing the Palazzo Versace Dubai, the second Palazzo Versace hotel, which opened in November 2016.
From October 2002 to January 2003, the most iconic pieces by Gianni and Donatella Versace were showcased in a special exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.